The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-08
a POLICE COURT INCIDENT.
How a New Yorksr May Lose His
Liberty

NEW YORK, Aug. 6-The hands of the
big regulator on the south wall of the York
vile Police Court pointed to 1905 O'Clock in
the morning. The common DRINKS had all
been disposed of and the more serious cases
were now coming up for examination Jus
tice Patterson leaned back in his chair for a
moment to discuss politics with a Republi-
can friend who had dropped in to disclose a
secret of state.
At this juncture a court officer and we'll
dressed man mounted the witness stand
Another man, so closely resembling the
man on the stand that | had TO look
twice 10 make certain that the one was
not shadow of the other. was placed at
the bar.
'Your Honor said the first man ip calm,
deliberate tones, this, indicating the pris-
oner at the bar. sis my brother. He is an
habitual drunkard He has ruined his
property and will certainly drink himself
to death If he is not restrained. | wish
you would commit him to my care de
sire TO place him in "a private asylum on
Long Island, where he can be treated and
taken care OF. Otherwise he will die in the
gutter"
What have you 20 sayEn asked the Jus
tice Of the unfortunate prisoner
a mingled look Of fear and resignation
came over the mans countenance. He seem
ed 10 shrink together and his eyes contained
that wild and hunted expression frequently
seen in insane people.
There is no use of saying ANYTHING.
suppose, y he answered; my brother there
wants me put away so that he can get my
property. There's no Use in trying 10 pre-
vent him. He will do il one way or an
other. Yes, drink. drink It will be
my ruin, no doubt, but he's 10 blame for it,
He led me on 70 IT, he tempted me. He al
Il rift TrTff he a..
stronger than | am. Now he wants me out
OF the way altogether. He had me away
for a short time before"
II IS impossible 20 describe the respondent
to2es Of the man Even in police court
where il Is customary for depraved prison
ers 70 make the most startling statements
concerning their accusers, his manner made
u profound impression.
The prisoners brother simply smiled and
assured the Justice that the prisoner was
crazed by drink, and that he had been ac-
tuated only by his love for his brother and a
hope that he might be cured in asking for
his incarceration.
ward politician came TO his rescue by
telling the Justice that his statement was
undoubtedly true and that the prisoner was
VIGOROUSLY addicted TO drink Accord
ingly, the papers were made out and the
prisoner was placed in charge Of his ac-
cnser. 90 be shut up in a private inebriate
asylum.
have since learned that there was grave
reasons 20 doubt the disinterested fraternal
love Of the complainant. In the first place
be had attempted 10 secure the control OF his
brother on previous occasion before an
other Justice. Then, however, several
friends OF the defendant had given evidence
- uncOmpliInentary 20 the character of the
complainant that the Justice refused 20 take
comizance Of the charge
u was shown that the complainant was n
man 81 low tastes given to cxtravagant
carousing and Indifferent 70 anything but
his own selfish interests. Defeated la his
object then, be waited until his brothers